Peak Ensemble Players' Cheaters Is a Winner!

Prepare to encounter a tangled web of three couples (each of which is experiencing "just a bit" of friction), and prepare to wonder just how this web can be untangled. Prepare, also, to hear some expertly delivered witty dialogue and to see some smoothly executed stage business, some priceless facial expressions, and some unmistakably expressive body language.

Good! Now you are prepared to attend Peak Ensemble Players' production of Michael Jacobs' Cheaters, which plays Friday-Sunday through May 19th, at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex. It delivers on all-of-the-above, along with a few tender moments and some gratifying surprises. Director Kathleen Rudolph has set a pace that's brisk but never hurried, and this ensemble cast delivers.

The Play:

Three opening scenes establish that:

• Howard (Dan Bain) and Monica (Jenny Dalgetty Anglum) are having an affair that is no longer as much fun as it once was.
• Sam (Larry Evans) and Grace (Dee Penven-Crew) are about to experience their first night of an affair.
• Michelle (Rebecca Leonard) and Allen (Joey DeSena) are live-in lovers who are at a crossroads. Will they soon get married? Or will they simply break up?

Ensuing scenes establish that:

• Howard is married to Grace, and Michelle is their daughter.
• Sam is married to Monica, and Allen is their son.
• The two families will soon meet for dinner at the home of Howard and Grace.

Hilarity ensues!

The Acting:

As is always the case with this company, the cast works together beautifully. Because the web of these relationships is so tightly tangled, there are a multitude of dynamics for these actors to work out, and everyone scores high marks. There is never a dull moment, nor is there a moment at which there is any doubt concerning what any of these characters wants.

The Tech:

Scenic designer Connor Gerney achieves the difficult task of creating seven (or so) different locations for the 11 (or more) scenes depicted on this small proscenium stage, doing so with aplomb. Nathan Pak's lighting design delivers the crucial support needed, and, while no stage manager is credited in the program, John Anglum (listed as "Running Crew") deserves a nod for the speed and smoothness of the set changes. Additional kudos go to costume designer Maura Stewart and sound designer Larry Evans.

Nice Touches:

• The use of the area in front of the closed curtain to define locations for a few scenes.
• The use of instrumental versions of familiar songs (which are always poignantly appropriate) during set changes.
• A voice in the next room during the initial scene.
• The harmony when two of the characters sing a song on the park bench.
• Attention to detail during set changes (i.e., changing the picture on the stage left wall).
• The speed and energy with which Allen "bounds up the stairs" at one point.

Memorable Lines:

• "What the f****** h*** are you doing here?"
• "What could we possibly have in common?"
• "Time of death of this relationship ...."
• "Without even touching each other, we touched each other."
• "I'll have the usual."

From the Department of Picky-Picky:

In the scene at the home of Monica and Sam, Monica stepped out of the light for a period of time. Shifting the light a bit to the right or positioning the table and stools further stage left would solve this. (This will probably be fixed before this review is published.)

The Bottom Line:

Peak Ensemble Players has a "winner" with Cheaters -- it is an enjoyable way to spend an evening.

The cast includes (clockwise from top left) Rebecca Leonard, Larry Evans, Jenny Anglum, Dan Bain, Dee Penven-Crew, and Joey DeSena

Michael Jacobs' CHEATERS (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 12, and 17-19), directed by Kathleen Rudolph Dan Bain as Howard, Jenny Dalgetty Anglum as Monica, Dee Penven-Crew as Grace, Larry Evans as Sam, Rebecca Leonard as Michelle, and Joey DeSena as Allen (Peak Ensemble Players at the Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex). TRAILERS: https://www.facebook.com/PeakEnsemblePlayers/videos/. VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1PZg3QSWMInviV5N5v2MA/videos. PRESENTER: https://www.facebook.com/PeakEnsemblePlayers, https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/peakensembleplayers/, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP1PZg3QSWMInviV5N5v2MA/videos. 2024 SEASON: https://www.facebook.com/PeakEnsemblePlayers/events/. VENUE: http://thehalle.org/, https://www.facebook.com/thehalleofApex, https://www.instagram.com/thehalleapex/, http://thehalle.org/twitter, and http://thehalle.org/youtube. DIRECTIONS: https://www.google.com/maps/. WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY: http://thehalle.org/accessibility. COVID REQUIREMENTS: http://thehalle.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=442. CHEATERS (1977 South Florida and 1978 Broadway Comedy): https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/2561/cheaters and https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/cheaters-2517. THE SCRIPT: https://archive.org/details/cheaterscomedyin0000jaco/mode/2up. MICHAEL JACOBS (Highland Park, NJ-born playwright and screenwriter): https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/michael-jacobs-7732, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0414551/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jacobs_(producer). NOTE: This play contains mature subject matter. TICKETS: $18 ($12 seniors, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-249-1120, peprudolph@gmail.com, or halleculturalartscenter@apexnc.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Peak Ensemble Players and the Halle Cultural Arts Center.

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